International Journal of Horticulture, 2016, Vol.6, No.26, 1-8
4
Table 3 Interaction effect of cushioning materials with apple cultivars on brushing and spoilage damage at HRS, Rajikot, Jumla for 3
consecutive years (2012-2014)
Bruised fruits (%)
Spoilage (%)
Cultivars
Cushioning materials
Sole Shawl
Paper
Grass
Plastic Sole Shawl Paper Grass
Plastic
Red delicious
18
11
14
10
16
19
6
9
5
12
Royal delicious
24
14
20
10
20
24
9
11
7
14
Golden delicious 30
17
20
13
22
30
12
15
10
17
F- test
***
***
LSD (P< 0.05)
1.8
2.0
CV (%)
7.5
10.5
2.2 Physiological weight loss (%)
Physiological Weight Loss (PWL) during storage was highly significant among apple cultivars (Table 1).
Maximum PWL was observed in Golden delicious (17.2%) followed by Royal delicious (14.3%) while minimum
in Red delicious (11.4%) after storage. Maximum PWL in Golden delicious might be due to thin peel (58.7 μm)
resulting more water loss due to higher evapo-transpiration and respiration (Homutováet al., 2004). Chaudhary et
al. (2004) reported that apple fruits stored for six month under normal room condition observed lowest PWL in
paper cushion in wooden boxes (47.6%) while maximum in floor storage (88%). Water loss among apple cultivars
during storage varied resulting in significantly different weight loss even under similar storage conditions (Khan
et al., 2005). Saleh et al. (2009) reported that fruits of Golden delicious, and Gala stored at 90% RH and 0ºC for
180 days exhibited significant differences in physiological and anatomical parameters. Physical properties of fruit
may also have significant influence on storage performance because it influences water loss, gas exchange and
subsequent storage life (Meisami et al., 2009). Differences in storage performance may be due to ethylene
production, responsible for the changes in texture, firmness and fruit softening (Khan et al., 2005).
2.3 Spoilage (%)
Spoilage loss during storage was highly significant among apple cultivars with and without cushioning materials.
After three months of storage, maximum spoilage was observed in Golden delicious (16.8%) followed by Royal
delicious (13.1%) while minimum (10.1%) in Red delicious (Table 1). Likewise, maximum spoilage (24.3%) was
observed in fruits transported in ordinary bamboo basket without liner followed by plastic liner (14.4%) while
minimum (7.2%) in grass liner (Table 2). Interaction effect of cushioning materials with cultivar during storage
was lowest in grass cushion followed by woolen shawl while highest in ordinary bamboo basket without cushion
(Table 3). The result indicates that different cultivars of apple have differential tolerance to bruising and
compression damages based on the nature of fruits such as skin thickness and texture. Higher spoilage damage on
Golden delicious might be due presence of thin peel thickness and soft texture, probability of damage to internal
tissue by compression, impact and vibration forces is high during transportation, resulting more spoilage loss
during storage. Paudyal et al. (2016) reported that maximum spoilage (32.5%) was observed on control while
minimum (17.5%) on paper wrapped apple fruits after 60 days of storage. The scratches or minor wounds may not
be apparently visible right after transportation however it has significant influence during storage.
2.4 Sensory evaluation
At maturity stage, overall acceptability was higher in Royal delicious (8.8) followed by Red delicious (8.7) while
lower in Golden delicious (7.9). Red delicious maintained higher sensory score (4.8) while lower in Royal
delicious & Golden delicious (4.4) after storage (Figure 1E). Retention of better firmness, aroma, taste and
crispiness was higher in Golden delicious after storage, however, showed unacceptable appearance due to more
shriveled texture. Mann et al. (2005) reported that the sensory attributes that fruit texture include firmness,
crispness, mealiness and juiciness.
2.5 Fruit firmness
At maturity stage, a significantly higher fruit firmness was recorded in Golden delicious (9.1 kg/cm
2
) followed by
Red delicious (8.1 kg/cm
2
) while lower (7.2 kg/cm
2
) in Royal delicious (Figure 2A). Firmness of apple fruits
